WEBVTT LAW.>> IT'S OUR LIVELIHOODS.IT'S OUR JOBS.PAUL: HEATHER FUGERE IS A SERVERAT OXFORD CASINO.SHE TELLS US, WITH TIPS, SHE CANMAKE IN TWO OR THREE DAYS WHATSHE'D MAKE WORKING TWO FULLWEEKS AT $12 AN HOUR.SHE SAYS THE TIP CREDIT SHOULDSTAY.>> I'VE DEDICATED MY LIFE TOBEING A MOM, AND THIS HAS BEENTHE BEST JOB OPPORTUNITY FOREVERYBODY IN MY LIFE.>> THAT'S GREAT.SERVERS MAKE GREAT MONEY, BUTTHERE IS AN ENTIRE STATE OFMAINE TO CONSIDER IN THIS.PAUL: ALI MONCEAUX IS A SERVERAT THE CORNER ROOM IN PORTLAND.SHE'S IN FAVOR OF THE GRADUALREDUCTION OF THE TIP CREDITBECAUSE SHE SAYS RELYING ON TIPSTO GET BY CREATES INSTABILITY.>> IT'S INCONSISTENT, AND ITCAUSES ANXIETY, AND YOU JUSTHAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR INCOME'SGOING TO BE.PAUL: RESTAURANT OWNERS ARESPLIT ON THE ISSUE TOO.SUSAN STEPHENSON SAYS SOME OFHER CUSTOMERS THINK SOME OF THELONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE NEW LAWARE IN EFFECT RIGHT NOW.>> BECAUSE I HEAR IT EVERY DAY,'OH, SHE'S MAKING MOREMONEY'.,OR 'HE'S MAKING MOREMONEY.YOU DON'T NEED TO TIP ASMUCH.AND I KNOW AT LEAST THREE OF MYSERVERS WHO HAVE NOTICED ACONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCE INTHEIR PERCENTAGES.PAUL: BUT KATHRYN HARNISH TELLSUS SHE'S ALREADY GIVEN WORKERSRAISES AT HER HOULTONRESTAURANT, AND THAT HAS NOTAFFECTED HER BOTTOM LINE.IN FACT, WE DIDN'T INCREASEPRICES WHEN WE INCREASED OURMINIMUM WAGE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.WE DON'T SEE A DIFFERENCE INTIPPING.PAUL: SOME PEOPLE ARGUE THAT THEPEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND LAWMAKERSSHOULD NOT METAL.MAINE VOTERS ALSO APPROVED THEBALLOT QUESTION TO APPROVERECREATIONAL POT.

Maine's minimum wage will increase to $10 an hour in the new year thanks to a law approved by voters in 2016.The hourly wage will then increase again to $11 in 2019 and $12 in 2020. Then, the wage will increase according to a formula.Certain white collar employees will see their wages rise to $576.93 per week. Tipped employees must be paid at least $5 an hour by employers.The voter-approved law originally required tipped employees like waiters and waitresses to make minimum wage regardless of how much they made in tips. Lawmakers later changed the law to only require employers to make up the difference when tips don't exceed the minimum wage.Some lawmakers have proposed to create a lower "training" wage for minors.

AUGUSTA, Maine —

Maine's minimum wage will increase to $10 an hour in the new year thanks to a law approved by voters in 2016.

The hourly wage will then increase again to $11 in 2019 and $12 in 2020. Then, the wage will increase according to a formula.

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Certain white collar employees will see their wages rise to $576.93 per week. Tipped employees must be paid at least $5 an hour by employers.

The voter-approved law originally required tipped employees like waiters and waitresses to make minimum wage regardless of how much they made in tips.

Lawmakers later changed the law to only require employers to make up the difference when tips don't exceed the minimum wage.

Some lawmakers have proposed to create a lower "training" wage for minors.